Oliech still part of my plans, says Amrouche
Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech during a training session at the Nyayo Stadium on May 15, 2014. Stars head coach Adel Amrouche has said he has no problem with the former national team skipper. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION
What you need to know:
- Assistant coaches James Nandwa and Ken Odhiambo took the players through their paces.
- Flanked by defenders David ‘Calabar’ Owino and David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng, the beleaguered coach expressed optimism that his charges will overturn the one goal deficit and prevail in Sunday’s encounter.
Suspended Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche on Wednesday said he has no problem with lead striker Dennis Oliech, two months after dropping the France-based forward from the national team for indiscipline.
In a press briefing at the team’s training base at the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium, the 46-year-old Algerian-born Belgian tactician took a reconciliatory tone on his recent fallout with the experienced star.
“Oliech (Dennis) is an important player to the team. I have no problem with him. He broke camp rules and the decision I took was a disciplinary measure but I also understand that he had a personal problem because his mother was sick.
“All I want is team discipline but I also wish his mother quick recovery,” he said adding that the striker will not feature as his club AC Ajaccio declined to release him because he reported late last time he was given permission for international assignments.
ORIGI'S BLOW
Top Kenyan shot-stopper Arnold Origi will also not feature for Stars for the second consecutive match after his Norwegian club declined to release him. “I cannot confirm whether he will be here but whoever is chosen to do the job should rise to the occasion.”
Flanked by defenders David ‘Calabar’ Owino and David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng, the beleaguered coach expressed optimism that his charges will overturn the one goal deficit and prevail in Sunday’s encounter.
“The game is very important and the team is taking it very seriously. We are in a critical situation and we must score two goals.
“There are two consequences; a win will put us in the group stages and if we lose, the team will have failed. I too will have failed. The latter scenario is too grim to imagine as it would mean we wait for another three years to play in the AFCON. I call on all Kenyans to support the team.”
On his twelve-month ban by the Confederation of African Football's disciplinary body that may relegate him to coaching wilderness for one year if upheld, Amrouche said: “I do not want to talk about that (ban) at the moment, but if you ask me how it will affect the team, I can say it won’t affect much because I have spent much time with the players and I’m confident they will do well with the assistants. They (players) are professionals and understand the enormity of the task at hand.”
The coach then went on to plead his innocence regarding the ban. “I did not spit on the match officials and I trust justice will prevail. I hope the Caf disciplinary system will prove me right when they look at the appeal.”
PLAYERS IN CAMP
Assistant coaches James Nandwa and Ken Odhiambo took the players through their paces. Taking part were goalkeepers Jerim Onyango, Wilson Oburu and Wycliffe Kasaya. Other players in camp are James Situma, Stephen Ocholla, Brian Osumba, Geoffrey Kataka, Aboud Omar, Clifton Miheso, Owino and Ochieng.
Edwin Lavatsa, South Africa-based David Gateri and dead ball specialist Francis Kahata. US-based Sporting Kansas City defender Lawrence Olum also joined camp but did not train with the team.
